Electrical measuring device



Feb. 29, 1944. F, J, LINGE-, 2,342,947

ELECTRICAL MBASURING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. l1, 194.]

i Patented 29, 1944 ELECTRICAL MEASURING DEVICE Frederick J. Lingel, Bluffton, Ohio, asslgnor to The Triplett Electrical Instrument Company, Bluffton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application August 11, 1941, Serial No. 406,336. Divided and this application March 6, 1942, Serial No. 433,568

8 Claims- The present invention relates to electrical measuring devices and particularly to meters such as an ohm meter for determining the ratio between two currents or two voltages, etc.

This is a divisional application of my copending application Serial No. 406,336, filed August 11, 1941. The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved measurgi device for` determining the ratio between t currents.

Another object is to provide ohm meter in .whichthe variations of lthe a tuating electromotive force are utilized at the eter and do not affect the indications of the instrument.

Still another object is to provide a current ratio meter employing two coils, thro'ugh which the respective currents are caused to ilow, and subjecting one of the coils to a magnetic field of constant value and the other of the coils to a magnetic field of progressively increasing value as the current through that coil is increased.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved meter for giving an accurate direct reading of two or more current or voltage values in terms of their ratios, notwithstanding variations in the electromotlve force which energizes the instrument. Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of the improved ratio meter;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the ratio meter shown in Figure 1 connected in a bridge circuit.

The moving system of the usual* type of DArsonval indicating electrical instrument is caused to deilect. under the influence of a torque exerted thereon by current flowing through a coil suspended between the pole faces of a permanent magnet. The deflection is limited and the movingsystem comes to rest at a point where the restoring torque is equal and opposite to the deiiecting torque. 'I'his restoring torque is usually appliedr to the moving system through a spiral torsion spring, which spring exerts a mechanical bias in direct proportion to the deflection. In many lplaces where an electrical instrument of the indicating type could be used, the power supply is not a constant voltage. Such application includes aircraft and automotive installation and many others where the source of power consists of a battery or generator. The voltage applied to the electrical circuit in such a system is subject to numerous influences tending to cause it to vary. For instance, both the battery and generator voltages arefunctions of the rate at which they are supplying power. The battery voltage is further affected by the amount it has been discharged. The generator voltage is also a function of its speed and would vary with the speed of its prime mover.

The above Vdiscussion as regards the introduction of errors by voltage fluctuation is also applicable to a moving vane type instrument in which the torque is exerted on the moving system by the interaction oi a magnetic field set up in a coil by a. vcurrent flowing through the same, and an iron vane rotatably suspended in the ileld of the coil. In this case, the vane may be either peri manently m'agnetized or not. In either case the net effect of a voltage uctuation is to cause the magnetic field to fluctuate and the reaction of the vane thereon to fluctuate. The fluctuating forceV exerted on the vane is opposed by a steady torsional force from the spiral spring and the moving system is, therefore, not at rest. Any measuring device, therefore, based on the voltage of a battery or generator balanced against the mechanical bias of a torsional spring will be in error by at least the same amount as the voltage.

Referring now to the drawing, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show my improved ratio meter in which two vane type movements, generally indicated |00 and |0| are mounted in axial alignment within a nonmagnetic case |02. 'I'he case |02 is fitted with a bottom closure disc |03 and a transparent cover |04. The closure disc l|03 is shouldered as at |05 and is retained in position by screws (not shown). A reduced diameter portion |06 at the upper edge of case |02 provides a ledge against which the transparent cover |04 is retained by a ring |01. An external flange |08, onthe upper edge of case |02, is provided as a mounting ledge to facilitate mounting the instrument in a panel.

The movements proper comprise cylindrical sleeves ||0 and H0 of magnetic material, end closures and of magnetic material, and coils ||2 and ||2 wound on nonconducting bobbine ||3 and \||3 and permanently magnetized circular vanes ||4 and ||4'. The vanes ||4 and H4 are of any magnetic material of a sumciently high coercive force that they may be strongly and permanently magnetized. The

sleeves ||0 and ||0 and the end closures and are provided with ears IIB through which screws ||5 are inserted. Spacing collars ||1 hold the movements in spaced relation and nuts IIB serves to clamp both units together.

A pointer |20 is arranged to swing over a dial |2|. Pointer |20 is a portion of an assembly comprising in addition to the pointer a short shaft |22, counterweights |23, and a stift nonmagnetic wire bail |24. The counterweights are resistor |60 to point |56, and back to the battery adjustable radially relative to the shaft and serve to balance the moving system. The bail |24 is adapted to swing in the open space indicated at |25 in Figure 1 and is` so formed as to engage vanes ||4 and H4. Vanes ||4 and ||4' are supported by bail |24 in concentric alignment in the shaft |22 and in the centers of coils ||2 and H2', respectively. Shaft |22 is pivoted as at |26 in the bent strip |21. Strip |21 is made of a material which is both resilient and possessed of good bearing qualities, such as phosphor, bronze, or the like. The strip is bent to the shape seen in Figure 2 and is engaged by a screw |28 which holds it securely in place on sleeve ||0. The portion of strip |21 which extends across sleeve ||0 is bent into a U shape and encloses shaft |22 as seen in Figures 2 and 3. Screw |29 provides a ready means for adjusting the pressure or taking up play at the bearing points |26.

As shown in the drawing, coil ||2 is cemented or otherwise suitably aillxed to the under side of strip |21 but it is understood that other ways of mounting this coil are possible. For instance, the bobbin ||3 could be fashioned so as to be fastened to the sleeve ||0. In the movement |0| the coil ||2' is shown cemented to the plate but it will be understood that the foregoing remarks regarding the mounting of coil ||2 will apply to coil ||2' also.

The assembly comprising movements |00, |0|,

together with the moving system is mounted and,l

aligned within the case |02 by a strap |30 fastened as at |3| to sleeve ||6 and as at |32 to case |02.

In addition to: the parts thus far described a permanent magnet |40 is arranged within the case |02. This substantially C shaped laminated magnet is disposed within the case so that the pole faces thereof are diametrically presented to sleeve ||0 as at |4|, |42. The edge of the magnet adjacent the-case rests on a ledge |43 and is locked in position by a screw |44y extending through slot |45. Screw |44 is threaded into the magnet as at |46 and has a head |41 which bears against the outer surface of the case |02. The purpose of magnet |40 is to set up a weak magnetic ileld across the diameter of sleeve ||0. This field links with vane ||4 and gently urges it into the position shown in Figure 4. In this manner, a restoring force is always present in the moving system urging it towards an idle position. This force is small enough that it does not appreciably affect the indication of the instrument but is sufficient to swing the movement of! scale when there is no current through coils through wire |51. There is lanother circuit from the battery through wire |5| to point |52, through unknown resistor Z to a point i6 thence through resistor |62 to point |56 and back to the battery through Wire |51.

In Figure 4 the instrument is shown as being deflected to the right of center and the magnetic axes of the vanes ||4 and |l4 arey shown by dotted lines and marked n, s, and n', s', respectively. The magnetic poles of the coils are marked N, S and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are marked Pn, Ps. This system of notation is only representative and either of the vane, coil units could be of reversed polarity without affecting the operation.

The operation is as follows. An unknown resistor Z has been inserted in the circuit between points |52 and |6|. According to the well known principle of the Wheatstone bridge, if Z is not of a value which will balance the bridge, a difference. of potential will exist between points |50, |6| and current will ow through coil ||2. This current will set up a magnet field N-S through coil ||2 of a strength proportional to the current through H2. rotate away from its rest position. The torque urging vane ||4 to rotate will diminish as the vairis n, s of the vane rotates towards the axis N, S of coil liz. Now the vane Il4 is caused to rotate as vane ||4 rotates bythe mechanical connection between them. The magnetic axisV n', s of vane H4' then rotates away from the magnetic axis N', S' of the coil ||2'. Thisfsets up a torque urging vane ||4' back towards its rest position. This torque will increase.asthe axis'n, s' of vane H4 rotates away fromthe axis N', S of coil ||2'. y

The moving system will continue to deflect until the diminishing torque on vane ||4 is balanced by the increasing torque on vane H4. The instrument will deflect to the right for, say,

values greater than Z and to the left for valuesl smaller than Z. l

The amount of deflection for a given change in value of the unknown resistor is a measurey of the resistor |55. The greater the resistor |55 the greater the deflection, since the restoring, torque of vane ||4 would be reduced. Hence, the sensitivity of the instrument depends on lthe value of |55. If now the voltage of battery |50 iluctuates during the operation of the instrument it will be seen that theehange in the currents through coils ||2 and H2' will be in the same proportion. The magnetic elds will therefore vary in the same proportions and the deflection of the instrument is unchanged. This instru- ||2 and ||2'. An observer is thus notified of a battery failure or an open circuit.

In Figure 4 this instrument is shown connected into a Wheatstone bridge circuit in which |50 is a battery of any well known type. From battery |50 a wire |5| is connected to point|52. A wire |53 connects one terminal .of coil H2' with point |52. The other terminal of coil ||2' is connected through wire |54 to one end of resistor |55. The other end of resistor |55 is connected to point |56 and thence through a wire |51 back to the battery. A circuit also exists from the battery through wire |5| to point |52, through resistor |56 to a point |59, thence through ment therefore indicates the true value of an unknown resistance and is not responsive to voltage fluctuation in the power supply.

A vane movement of the type described above comprising only one vane and one coil, shield, and a permanent magnet mounted as at |40 would be useful as an ammeter or voltmeterin a direct current circuit. The sensitivity-,of such a voltmeter or ammeter would depend on the strength of the magnet |40. The stronger the magnet the less the sensitivity, and the weaker v the magnet the greater the sensitivity. The zero poing: of the instrumentv would be adjusted by shif ing magnet |40 about the center. An instrument of this type is inexpensive to manufacture, accurate/and rugged. l

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as The vane ||4 is then urged to,

in the respective coils, said elements being se.

cured together and carrying a pointer which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, and a permanent magnet in magnetic relation with respect to one of said coils, and means to adjust said magnet angularly about the center of said coil to swing the movement of the pointer off scale when there is no current through said coil.

0 magnet positioned adjacent one of said magnetic l 2. A meter for determining the ratio between two currents, said meter comprising a casing `containing a pair of coils to which the respective currents are applied, a rotative element in each coil and responsive to the magnetic elds set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and carrying a pointer which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, and a permanent magnet in magnetic relation with respect to one of said coils, said permanent magnet being adjustable angularly about the center of said coil from theexteri-or of said casing to adjust the position of the pointer when at rest and no current is owing through said coil.

3. A meter for determining the ratio between two currents, said meter comprising a casing con taining a. pair of coils to which the respective currents are applied in. opposition, a rotative element in each coil and responsive to the magnetic elds set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and carrying a pointer which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, said coils being -positioned directly over one another and said rotative elements comprising members of` highly magnetiza'blle material, and a permanent magnet positioned adjacent one of said coils and adapted to be moved angularly about -the center-of said coil to adjust the position of. the pointer when at rest and no current is flowing through said coil in order to adjust the effects o'ffu'the two coils on one another. Y .i

4. A meter for determining the ratio betweenI two currents, said metercompr'ising a casing containing a. pairvof coils to which lthe respective currents are applied inopposition, a rotative element in-each coil and responsive to the magnetic fields set u-p in the respective coils, said elements being secured together land carrying a pointer whichV takes a position dependingon the ratio o the currents traversing 'said A coils, said coils `being positioned directly over one another and said rotative elements comprising members of highly magnetizable material, a magnetic casing surrounding each ofv said coils, and a permanen magnet positioned adjacent one of said magnetic mentin each coil and responsive to the magnetic elds set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and carrying a pointer Y -which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, said coils 'being positioned directly over one anotherand casings, said permanent magnet being adapted to be moved with respect to each of said magnetic casings, poles of said magnet being presented to said casing whereby to inuence the position of the rotative element.

6. A meter for determining the ratio between two currents, said meter comprising a casing containing a pair of coils to which the respective currents are applied in opposition, a rotative element in each coil and responsive to the magnetic fields set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and carrying a pointer which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, said coils being positioned directly over one another and said rotative elements comprising members of highly magnetizable material, a magnetic sleeve surrounding each of said coils, a perma nent magnet of C-shape enclosed within the first mentioned casing andl having the pole faces thereof diametrically presented to opposite sidesvof the sleeve surrounding one of said coils, and means for rotary adjustment of said magnet relative to the Acenter of said sleeve and coil.

7.=A meter for determining the ratio between two currents, said meter comprising a casing containing a pair of coils to which the respective currents are applied in opposition, a rotative element in each coil and responsive to the magnetic elds set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and 'carrying a pointer which takes aposition` depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, said coils being positioned directly over one another and said rotative elements comprising members of highly magnetizable material, a magnetic sleeve surrounding each of said coils, a permanent magnet of C-shape enclosed within the iirst mentioned casing and having the pole faces thereof diametricalfly presented to opposite sides of the sleeve surrounding one ofl said coils, and a screw extending through a slot in the casing and threaded to the magnet to effect rotary adjustment of said fein permanent magnet.

8. A meter for determining the ratio between two currents, said meter comprising a casing containing a pair of coils to which the respective currents are applied in opposition, a rotative element in each coil and responsive to the magnetic fields set up in the respective coils, said elements being secured together and carrying a pointer which takes a position depending on the ratio of the currents traversing said coils, said coils being positioned directly over one another and said rotative elements comprising members of highly magnetizable material, a magnetic sleeve surrounding each of said coils, a permanent magl net enclosedk within the first-mentioned casing and having'. poile faces presented to portions of the sleeve surrounding one of said coils, and means for adjustment of said magnetrelative to said sleeve. f

, FREDERICK J. LINGEL. 

